Page 4

Air Force News

COL Mike Lee, USAF

     Jayhawk AFROTC activities continue to roll by. We started flying refueling missions with the 190th Air Refueling Wing (Kansas Air Guard). Meeting and flying with these professional airmen serves as a good introduction to Operations for our younger cadets and offers them a unique opportunity to see a mix of modern aircraft being refueled. We also joined our sister services in providing the color guard for many of the KU home basketball games. Some of our sharpest cadets volunteer to work this duty, and they'd be glad to shake your hand as you see them at Allen Field House before the game.

     In mid-February Det 280 Arnold Air Society took Valentine cookies and warm wishes to Vets at the VA Hospital during Valentines for Vets week. Cadets were well received, and they always come back just a little more appreciative of those preceding them in the Profession of

     Finally, we sent four cadets to a National Leadership Conference at the Air Force Academy attended by many major Universities across the country. The conference focused on ethics and leadership.

     We're working hard to establish a leadership award in the name of 2Lt Nathan Buckley, a 2000 Distinguished Graduate from KU AFROTC killed in the crash of an AF Special Operations aircraft last summer. An endowment fund has been established at the University in Nathan's name.

     We appreciate the support of the Jayhawk Chapter of MOAA. We look forward to seeing many of you at the Joint Commissioning Ceremonies at KU on 19 May

Col. Mike Lee    

MOAA LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

The FY2003 Defense Authorization Act (Public Law 107-314) was signed into law on December 2, 2002. Among other things, the Act substantially eliminates the disability offset to retired pay for certain retirees with at least 20 years of active duty and (a) any disability rating that is associated with a Purple Heart or (b) a disability rating of 60% or higher that is due to a combat-related or operations-related disability. Eligible retirees will have to apply for this new compensation. The effective date of the new special compensation will be June 1, 2003.

Special DFAS notes

2. VA Reports Progress In Claims Backlog Battle

After years of battling a rising backlog of applications from veterans and survivors seeking financial benefits, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is reversing the trend. Since the beginning of this year, the steady decrease of claims in the pipeline has reduced the backlog of ratings actions by 21 percent.

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has reissued the eligibility requirements for nursing home care, and clarified Nursing Home Care eligibility and the definition of 70 percent service-connected (SC) disability rating.

Public Law 106-117, The Veterans' Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act, amended the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) statutory authority for providing nursing home care to eligible veterans. That law requires that:

a. VHA provide nursing home care to any veteran in need of such care for a SC disability.

b. VHA provides nursing home care to any veteran who is in need of such care and who has a combined SC disability rating of 70 percent or more, is seeking nursing home care for a SC condition, or is rated 60 percent SC and unemployable or is rated 60 percent SC and Permanent and Total Disabled (P&T).

(continued on Page 6)